Paris is broken – New Zealand deserves a better climate deal

“The only party that opposed the Zero Carbon Act is now calling for a better deal from Paris,” says ACT Leader David Seymour as the Party releases its position statement on climate.

“Everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die. For so long, our mighty hydro lakes and geothermal wells let New Zealanders have it both ways. We could go to heaven for having low emissions, but we didn’t have to die by having the lights go out. Unfortunately, that golden age of easy choices is over.

“I have been consistent on climate all my career. A small trading nation can’t ignore climate policy, but overdoing it will backfire. Sending New Zealand farming and industry overseas where they emit even more hurts the climate and our way of life. Paris needs to change, or New Zealand needs to leave.

“Paris doesn’t work for this country, and more and more people are feeling it. Working people and rural people at the frontline of the economy see it first. The urban middle class is feeling it, though, even if they don’t see it yet.

“The same high power prices that are shutting down sawmills are hurting household budgets every winter month. The same people who could be working here are working in Australia where they’re not afraid to generate the electricity they need.

“The Paris Agreement demands targets that are disconnected from science and blind to New Zealand’s realities. Net zero targets have been set without regard for the real cost to firms, farms, and families. The result is farmers forced off the land, the regions hollowed out, and higher prices for food, electricity, and production.

“New Zealand should remain engaged with our trading partners, but only on terms that make sense for us. That means pushing for fundamental reform of the Paris framework."

ACT MP and dairy farmer Andrew Hoggard says: “A better deal would mean a fairer, more scientific approach to methane. It has never made sense to treat cow burps the same way as emissions from coal-burning. ACT would look to countries like Uruguay that have achieved sensible, science-based differentiation of gas types. That’s how you protect food production while addressing climate change honestly.”

ACT Climate and Energy spokesperson Simon Court says: “The current approach punishes households and industry alike. Emissions Reduction Plans have led to punishing carbon prices that steadily drive up electricity costs. Sawmills, paper mills, and manufacturers are shutting shop, draining livelihoods from regional economies. Households are left to choose between cutting back on groceries or shivering in the dark. ACT says Kiwis deserve to be wealthier and more comfortable.”

ACT Rural Communities spokesperson Mark Cameron says: “Every other day someone asks me why we’re still in Paris, and they raise legitimate concerns. We might be a nation of five million, but we feed 50 million, and we do it bloody efficiently. Shutting down efficient New Zealand farms so other countries can grow food less efficiently will only increase global emissions while gutting rural New Zealand."

“ACT’s better deal on climate means no emissions pricing for agriculture, revisiting Emissions Reduction Plans, and ensuring every dollar delivers," says Mr Seymour. "If these reforms cannot be achieved, New Zealand should be prepared to walk away. We should not continue down a path that undermines our economy for no environmental gain.”

“ACT is the only party that opposed the Labour-NZ First-Green Zero Carbon Act. We were the only party to consistently vote against the Labour-Green emissions mandates. Now, ACT is the only party with the courage to say Paris is broken, and that New Zealand deserves a better deal.”

Editor’s notes:

ACT's full position statement, A Better Climate Deal, can be found here.

ACT has launched a petition to support A Better Climate Deal at http://www.changeorleave.nz/